Archive » July 2015 » Obituaries

Harold N. Eck

UNIONVILLE — Harold N. Eck was a husband and father who enjoyed camping and dancing. He died on June 13, 2015. He was 87.

Mr. Eck was born on Jan. 30, 1928 in West New York, New Jersey, to Harold and Helen Eck (née Kipp). He married his wife, Shirley Eck (née Jennings), in 1973.

Kenneth Elmendorf Jr.

ALTAMONT — Kenneth Elmendorf Jr., a man who adored his family, the outdoors, and combining the two, died on Thursday, July 16, 2015, with his loving family by his side. He was 76.

Mr. Elmendorf was born on July 27, 1938, on the Vosburgh Farm, to the late Kenneth and Harriet (née Klapp) Elmendorf.

Florine Writesel

ALTAMONT — Florine Writesel had a hardscrabble life, growing up during the Great Depression, moving so often that she never finished a school year in the place she began. She was pregnant at 16, unable to graduate from high school. But, rather than being narrow and stingy, she was generous and loving.

Herman William Wyld

GUILDERLAND — Herman William Wyld, a dedicated coach and father, died on Tuesday, July 7, 2015, surrounded by his family at the Hospice Inn of St. Peter’s Hospital. He was 82.

Son of the late Herman and Ann Scully Wyld, he was born in Albany on Dec. 14, 1932.

Florence Remley Zimmer

BERNE — Florence Remley Zimmer, a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, and a talented craftswoman, died quietly at home, surrounded by her family, on Sunday, July 12, 2015. It was one week after her 103rd birthday.

Robin L. Burkhardt

RAVENA — Robin L. Burkhardt taught emergency services providers throughout the Hilltowns and Greene County how to read EKGs to recognize heart attacks, and, as a brain tumor survivor, worked in the Capital Region to increase awareness of brain tumor symptoms. She died on Thursday, June 11, 2015, at the age of 54.

Richard E. Sellick

GALLUPVILLE — Richard E. Sellick was proud to be a registered vascular technologist and was a classic car fan. He died on Friday, June 26, 2015 at St. Peter’s Hospital surrounded by his family. He was 45.

A. Dorothy Lounsbury

WESTERLO — A. Dorothy Lounsbury, a loving mother and a dedicated former town board member, died on Wednesday, July 8, at her home in Lake Onderdonk with her family near her. She was 87.

Charles H. Bassler

BERNE — Charles H. Bassler died peacefully on Friday, July 10, 2015, his wedding anniversary, with his wife of 62 years, Mary, and family at his side. He was 84.

His family, in a tribute, described him as someone “who was either on a lawnmower or in the woods.”

Norma Jane Saddlemire

Norma Jane Saddlemire loved farm life and caring for others. She cooked church suppers and sewed her own wedding gown as well as gowns for all of her daughters’ weddings.

She died on Thursday, July 9, 2015, after a brief stay at Capstone Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing in Amsterdam, New York. She was 84.

Lawrence I. Taber

Lawrence I. Taber was a Korean War veteran who mastered many trades and who loved God and his family. He died unexpectedly on Tuesday, July 7, 2015, at St. Peter's Hospital in Albany. He was 82.

In memoriam

Mom,

On July 9, 2014, you started your courageous fight to stay with us and on July 15 you had to say "Goodbye,” until we are together again.

It has been the toughest year without you. Heaven got more beautiful the moment you arrived.

I miss you every minute of every day.

Jean Bryson McCracken

GUILDERLAND CENTER — Jean Bryson McCracken sewed not just to clothe her family but to engender in her daughters a creative spirit.

She died on Monday, June 22, 2015, twenty years after the death of her beloved husband. She was 86.

Ruth E. Quay

ALTAMONT — Born on a Hilltown farm, Ruth E. Quay was a loving homemaker and devoted mother. Late in life, she ranched in New Mexico before returning to the Helderbergs, which she loved.

She died on Thursday, June 25, 2015, during a brief stay at the Albany County Nursing Home. She was 77 years old.

Kathryne Ryan Aragona

WESTERLO — Kathryne Ryan Aragona, an avid crocheter and parent figure with a sweet tooth, died on Thursday, June 25, 2015. She was 70.